Zeiterion to celebrate Mayan culture on Saturday

On Saturday, the Zeiterion Theatre and The New Bedford Whaling Museum presents a unique opportunity to experience Mayan and Aztec culture first hand.

On Saturday, the Zeiterion Theatre and The New Bedford Whaling Museum presents a unique opportunity to experience Mayan and Aztec culture first hand.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Whaling Museum's New Exhibit of Mayan textiles from the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology: "Tejela: Weaving Stories, Weaving Lives" is on view.

Then at 5 p.m., prior to the 8 p.m. performance of Xavier Quijas Yxayotl's: Mayan Music and Aztec Dances, the experience continues at The Zeiterion with a free exhibition of traditional Mayan clothing, masks, arts and crafts, weaving and artifacts used in both ceremonies and daily living.

From 7-7:30 p.m., master musician Xavier Quijas Yxayotl leads a special pre-performance talk and music demonstration. At 8 p.m., the day culminates with an authentic experience of Mesoamerica's vibrant and ancient culture when Xavier Quijas Yxayotl's: Mayan Music and Aztec Dances take the stage.

Yxayotl has brought together authentic Mayan musicians and Aztec dancers to create a performance rich in spectacular color and history.

Xavier, better known by his indigenous name, "Yxayotl" (which in Nahuatl means "tears"), is a master of ancient instruments and flutes from Mayan, Aztec, Huichol, Tarahumara, Yaqui and many more ancient civilizations. His collection of handmade instruments includes Tarahumara drums, turtle shells, rain sticks, Teponaxtli log drums, Mayan ocean drums, rattles, and gourds.

The five Aztec dancers have mastered both the art of the intensely physical dances and the craft of the exquisite, colorful costuming. Each costume is unique with dazzling four foot feathers, gold sequins and vivid cloths. The dances depict various aspects of Aztec religion and daily life, including prayers to the gods, hunting, and the ultimate expression of faith, the Fire Dance, in which the dancer's elevated emotional state makes him impervious to the effects of the fire on his skin.

Tickets are $20. Visit www.zeiterion.org or call 508-994-2900. The Zeiterion Box Office is located at 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10-3 on Saturday and one hour before each performance.

Admission to the New Bedford Whaling Museum is free to members and $14 adults; $12 for seniors; $9 for students (19+) and $6 for children. All New Bedford residents are admitted free through April, sponsored by a grant from BayCoast Bank. Winter hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Open on holiday Mondays 9-4.